Page 28 of Trial By Fire

“Tonight. You utter your last threat, Maurelle.” Dain’s hands light up as electricity and fire dances along his hands as he unleashes it on his sibling.

“Come and get me, Brother!” Maurelle laughs, her head tilts back as the glow emanating from her body intensifies. Bright white light illuminates the entire room, and the enchantment wavers as the actual room is revealed. Arched windows surround the room, elaborately decorated chandeliers hang suspended in mid-air, and gilded chairs and tables were pushed against the walls to make room for the ruse. Some of the retreating guests stop for just a second to notice what is happening behind them and are quickly corralled by the guards. A burst of power flows out of Maurelle’s body, those who were still too close to her die instantly. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Both of them have the power of light and dark within their grasp, the potential to destroy us all. The pulse flows toward us like a sweet caress, Dain blocks us from the power’s touch. Spreading his arms wide, shadows fall from his fingertips, forming a writhing wall of black ether that holds back the intense light. I can’t help but stare with my mouth open in awe at what I am seeing. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.

“Now, Dravyn!” Dain yells. Again, he didn’t have to tell me. I pick Cordelia up bridal style, and I vanish from the room.

* * *

I land just outside the front door of the palace. Silence greets us as the massive black doors block out the chaos happening inside. With no guards around the area, I quickly run down the stairs with Cordelia in my arms, stopping just before the entrance of the labyrinth. I know we don’t have much time, so I am praying to whoever’s listening that a little fresh air will clear her head. I place her on her feet and bend down to look her in the eyes. I am shocked when I see the bright gold eyes of her Dragon staring back at me. She blinks and her beautiful brown eyes peer at me. Her gaze is normal and focused.

“Dravyn. We stick to the plan. We need to get to—”

“The waterfall, your father told me,” I say quickly, cutting her off. I watch as she closes her eyes and fire erupts from her hands. The fire dances down her arms, crawling over the cuffs and melting the metal away like water, leaving her skin untouched. I can’t help but stare transfixed as massive black wings pop out wide from her back at the same time. She stands taller, and her smile widens, excitement with what she just did flows through the bond.

“Well, look at you, making upgrades. Full of surprises, Miss Drake!” I lean in, giving her a quick kiss. Allowing us just a sweet moment of normality considering what we just escaped from. I take a breath, closing my eyes, I touch my forehead to hers. Thankful for the chance to receive her love and to love her in return. Thankful that she accepted me despite what my initial intentions were. I don’t deserve her, but damn it, I would do anything or give anything to make sure she is safe. I pull away, sobering my face and her smile falls away as well. Our little quiet bubble pops as fast as it formed.

“I don’t know if I can carry you, but I can try, or I can shift?” She looks determined. She glances over her shoulder to look at her wings and flexes then as if she is testing them out. The sound of shouting grows louder as guards make their way to the front of the palace.

“You’ve never used those wings before. If you were in your Dragon form, it would be another story entirely, however, it’s too risky, they will spot you too easily. At least with your Fae wings you can hide amongst the trees. You need to fly. Once you fly over the bridge, bank right and keep flying. You will hear the water before you reach the falls.” She opens her mouth to protest.

“We don’t have time, baby. I will make it to you. I promise. I have to take the long way through there.” I point to the dark foreboding labyrinth and quickly look away. “Once I am past the bridge, I can teleport to you. Easy.” I offer her a reassuring smile.

“My father—”

“We can’t worry about him. You can’t worry about him. He will meet us there. I need you to go.” More shouts and footfalls make their way closer. We are quickly running out of time.

Cordelia’s eyes widen for just a second. I can see her wanting to say more. She nods her head and accepts my words. I watch as she closes her eyes, and her wings begin to lift her off the ground. She struggles at first, like a little fledging attempting to take flight for the first time. I watch as she climbs higher, her flaps become stronger and surer as she begins to fly over the labyrinth.

“Be careful,” she shouts as she picks up speed slightly. I watch as she flies out of sight, dipping a few times but quickly correcting herself.

“You be careful,” I say to her back, my words and concerns flying along in the wind as I fold the shadows around me and run inside the labyrinth. With every twist and turn it brings me closer and closer to the bridge. At this rate, I may make it to the waterfall before Cordelia does. I know this labyrinth like the back of my hand, I know which areas to avoid.

Left.

Right.

Right.

Left.

As soon as I see the exit, I sigh in relief. Regardless of how easy it is to traverse it I still fear the creatures that lay in wait. My relief is short-lived as a black floating mass rises up from out of the ground, blocking my exit. I stop. They shouldn’t be able to see me. I look left and see more float up to block off where I just came from. I can’t go right, it’s a dead end. The only way out is through them. I promised Cordelia. I promised I would get to her. I have to try.“Don’t let him leave. Kill him!”Maurelle’s voice floats on the wind, fading to just a soft whisper that continues to echo around the tall hedges around me.

The wraiths’ empty white eyes open and lock on me, their target. Shadowy shapes of limbs solidify, making them appear almost Humanoid. Long daggerlike claws grow from rapidly forming hands. The world goes eerily quiet. My heartrate spikes. I promised Cordelia.I promised you, Cordelia. I tried baby. I tried. This is where I die,I think to myself as they attack.

Claws. Blood. Pulling at me. Ripping me to shreds. I notice sentries flying overhead. They will capture Cordelia. I’ve failed. Failed her. Bright white light. Flames. I welcome it. I welcome my destruction. I wanted to meet my Dragon, at least once. Darkness takes me, and I float weightlessly into the night sky.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

CORDELIA

Idon’t know what I’m doing. I feel like I’ve been flying for hours even though I know it hasn’t been that long since I half flew/half dropped away from the floating palace. Floating palace. I will have to think about that marvelous wonder when I get a chance to stop running—well—flying for my life. I can’t think about what happened back there. It is something that will haunt me for a long time, so I push it down as far as I can. Thaddeus, his hands on me, his words in my ear.“I wonder what that pretty pussy of yours tastes like.”

I seize up as I try to yet fail to block his voice. I lose focus, my wings stop flapping, and I start to fall. Push it down. I have to forget about it. Torin, Gale, Adrian, and Dravyn. My mates. Mom. Maddox. Family. Arcadia. I repeat this mantra over and over until my head starts to clear. I push on, my Dragon under the surface as I listen for water in the distance. Nothing. I went the way Dravyn told me. By the time I arrive, he will be a nervous wreck. Probably pacing back and forth, searching the sky for me as I lumber along slowly. I must be lost.

My eyes scan the trees ahead of me. Light and sound filters through, brimming with life. There are homes built into trees and along hillsides, they even line residential streets. No different than Earth at night. There is music playing in the distance, and I can hear laughter ring out intermittently as I continue my journey.

Life goes on,I think to myself. Somewhere below me, the Fae are going about their lives oblivious to the atrocities their queen has committed, or they know and are too afraid to do anything about it. What could they do? I saw the power she carries underneath her skin. She might as well be an atomic bomb with the way her magic obliterated the people around her in the ballroom. My father saved us. I just hope that he is ok, and he was able to distract Maurelle enough for him to escape himself. My wings are beginning to ache, yet I push myself on further. My ears strain, listening for the sound of water. Nothing.

“Come on. It’s got to be here somewhere,” I huff in frustration. If I keep flying like this, I won’t last long. I am already tiring, and I’m not fit enough to do this much longer. If I get out of this, I will definitely add flying to my daily workout routine. I don’t really have a workout routine, but I’m going to make flying my number one priority. I laugh out loud. Anything to keep my spirits up.

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